1999 Kia Sportage: check engine light

Filed Jun 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · OH

1999 kia sportage, had a gas leak got it repaired with a new tank last year, still have a gas smell. I have taken it back several times for the smell they cannot find the problem, of course this is my regular mechanic not a kia dealer. Now the frame is busted from premature rusting and disintegration which is holding up the gas tank. Check engine light is constantly on for "evap leak" . No power when A/C is running. A/c now has leak. Constantly smell a burning smell just before the check engine light comes on. Also constantly blows fuses for power windows etc. This is a death trap for sure, you can imagine my surprise when I was advised not to drive my grandbabies in this car it is unsafe...and when they refused to fix it as they couldn't take responsibility for the safety of the vehicle when trying to fix a framing problem. This car has had very good maintenance, oil changes, tires etc. And only has 114,000 miles , I never dreamed I would have to find another car so soon. I really thought I should have at least another 100,000 to go!

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 69,000 miles · NY

I purchased my kia used, from a dealer, less than a year ago, and it passed the electronic systems check for vehicle inspection. I immediately had to have dealer replace the gasoline tank after smelling gasoline. This car is used solely for light usage to transport myself and my children to and from dr's and grocery stores. After owning the car for less than two months, check engine light came on, reporting issue with catalyst. Found a recall on this issue and am trying to get original dealer to fix. Now experiencing loss of power to engage inclines or hills, causing a hazard to other drivers. Also back brakes simply "blew"! Without any forewarning, with my children in the car, I lost all braking abilities. Thank goodness I was not going fast and have a standard to quickly downshift. My mother was killed due to loss of brakes, and it was an absolute panicking situation for me emotionally. Being a single mother I rely on mechanics to do all my work, and I had just had all my fuel levels topped off and my pads checked, without any issue found. I have also had an intermittent issue with the front seat belts remaining engaged. The dealer warranty expired and I am stuck with recalls nobody seems to want to fix!

Filed Aug 27, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · FL · crash

This kia was purchased new and is a one owner car. It has had 2 master cylinders, and 4 sets of brake pads. The car currently has 50,000 miles on it. The car slides to the right on wet roads and does not stop until it hits something or slows to a stop. I have slid 2 times, rear ended someone the 3rd, and my son hit a light pole. The other times the brakes may or may not work. The problem is worse during rainy weather. The brakes go to the floor and the car does not stop. At times the brakes vibrate. This car has had a new cloth top, new air conditioning 2x, 5 catalytic converters, new carpet from the air leaking and molding, new seat covers as they ripped, new brakes, rotors, pads several items I have lost count, the check engine light comes on, the car has been re-wired, at times the car won't accelerate if the air conditioner is on. Last night the highway patrol office wanted to know why I would endanger my son's life in a car that won't stop or slides. That is a good question. Why are any of these models still on the highway when there are so many things wrong with them. In looking at the complaints there were many that dealt with the brakes. At this point is there any recourse with the car? I don't feel that I can sell it outright honestly and put someones life in danger. The highway patrol officer made me feel like a neglectful parent by even letting my son drive the car. We even parked it for 6 months trying to decide what to do with the car. My son's car was in the repair shop, so he took the kia. I feel that the car is a death trap.

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

Catalytic converter was recalled and replaced by the dealer in 2001, rattling and not working correctly since (engine light on - diagnostic says converter), return to dealer approximately. 2 months later, they verified everything was ok, would not pass smog the next year, returned to dealer they say it is the converter again, will not pay to replace again. Car runs with no power and is a danger on the road.

Filed Sep 10, 2003 · Electrical · 55,500 miles · WA

Ecm not operable (check engine light reoccurring after service visits) going on 8 visis to the dealership for check engine light. 2 misdiagnosis , gas cap not tight enough, fuel canister valve. Purchased used 2 months ago, problem occurred 1 month after ownership. Have warranty with deductible. Have researched make and model history and fear that safety is a factor. First time owner of a 4wd and feel that what I thought was rough travel expected from a 4wd is something in the braking system, which seems to be common for this vehicle in my research. Have asked for my money back , down pmt $2000 and trade in of $200, as my experience with the dealership has been more than unpleasant. I recieved "a slap in the face" offer which would have cost me $ 5000 a penalty for purchasing a vehicle only 2 months previous. Was not an as is sale, and I did purchase an extended warranty with deductible. In my book this type of business practice should be outlawed.

Filed Sep 1, 2003 · Engine · TX

Smell of exhaust coming from under hood again. Has been in shop number of times, check engine came on 50 miles after leaving dealership for repairs.runs very bad, same as before repairs. Has been out of warrnety for while, pay for repairs out of pocket.

Filed Apr 27, 2003 · Electrical · 53,230 miles · TX

I have a 1999 kia sportage. On 23 april, 2003 I accelerated after stopping at a stop sign at an intersection and all of a sudden I heard a "clunk" sound coming from my transmission, my vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection and the "hold" light and the "check engine" light came on. I was able to get the vehicle moving again after a few seconds and after checking things out in a local parking lot and not seeing anything wrong under the hood I took it to a local dealer to get fixed. The vehicle was put on the diagnostics machine and it showed the p0101 code. The fix for this problem is around $500 and my warranty doesn't cover this problem. Kia has a bulletin on how to fix this problem, so they are aware that this problem exists. I called kia about the problem and the person I spoke with was very rude and refused to listen to my complaint and told me it's my problem, there's nothing they can do and this problem isn't a recall because it's not a safety concern. I don't see how it's not a safety concern when my vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection! Also, $500 is a lot of money especially when warranty's don't cover it. Everybody from the warranty company and the dealer have all told me that this should be a safety concern, thus should be a recall. The folks at the warranty company said that about 95% of the people that call in with this type of vehicle are calling in about this type of problem. Thank you for your time.

Filed Sep 3, 2002 · Engine · NY

The vehicle would not start at all. Engine light appeared on dashboard. Dealership was aware of the problem.

Filed Apr 2, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · WI

I purchased my kia sportage 4x4 brand new in july of 1999 since I day I drove it off the lot it has been a constant source of stress and frustration. Shortly after purchasing it the check engine light would continously come on and then the car would lurch and chug. Car was towed back to the dealership and it was kept there for apporoximately 2and a half weeks. It has also had problems where it wouldn't start due to corrosion on the starter clip . This has happened twice. I also had the windshield wipers stop working on the way home from work in a snow storm with my four year old son in the back. It also started making a loud rumbling noise that sounded like I was driving over speed bumps. This LED to them needing to replace the hubs, bearings, and axle shafts. Car only had approximately 33000 miles on it. At the same time I was told that the front brake pads and rotors were bad and needed to be replaced. This was at a cost of $400.00 to me. I have very strong safety concerns with this vehicle. I do not like having myself or my child in the vehicle for fear of what else is going to happen with it and will we survive to tell about it.

Filed May 11, 2001 · Engine · CA

Prior to recall notification, consumer noticed that engine light was on and the vehicle stalled for a few seconds, consumer was advised by dealership that she would have to pay $150.00 for a diagnostic test to find out what the problem was, consumer stated that vehicle was still under warranty and was under 3000 miles and did not understand why there was a fee involved, once consumer received the recall notification he then went back to have the necessary repairs performed, consumer states dealership did not get to vehicle until 4:00pm that evening in which vehicle was dropped off at 9:00am however vehicle was never worked on and subsequently vehicle was taken to another dealership to have recall repairs performed.

Filed Feb 6, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · FL

4-wheel drive does not always engage, both front hubs were replaced and pass operation cable adjusted, dealer claims the problems is fixed, however consumer states there is no difference once vehicle is repaired. Check engine light illuminated. Power window inoperable, dealer replaced window motor.

Filed Jan 3, 2001 · Engine · CT

After driving the kia for about one month, the vehicle began to emit a rotten egg smell, service manager explanation was that vehicle needed "breaking in", later owner was told that the smell was coming from using cheap fuel, vehicle would not turn on because of left over fuel in the combustion chamber, not sure why engine light came on and vehicle stalled.